Geological sampling device

ABSTRACT

A device to be used during geological exploration for obtaining a specimen of soil lying beneath the surface of the earth. The device is to be dropped from the air, e.g., from a hovering helicopter, and the nose thereof allowed to penetrate the surface of the earth. A sample is collected in the device and the device is retrieved into the hovering helicopter by means of a cable and a winch. The apparatus includes a hollow tubular body having a flange stop-collar approximately midway along the body to limit its penetration into the earth and fins at the tail to aerodynamically guide it during its fall to earth. The front or nose end of the body is provided with spreadable guarding jaws which are closed during impact and which are formed in an arrowhead shape to enhance penetration of the earth. A relatively heavy interior body fits within the hollow body and includes an open front portion to receive a sample. The interior body is releasably retained in a position near the tail of the hollow body by a spring urged pin. After the device is dropped from a helicopter, the pointed guarding jaws of the hollow body penetrate the earth on impact, penetration of the hollow body being continued until the stop collar brings the device to a sudden halt. Inertia of the interior body causes it to be pulled loose from the spring urged pin, the momentum of this body causing it to move through the hollow body and to spread the guarding jaws at the nose end beneath the surface. The interior body continues to move downwardly and passes partly out of the hollow body so that the open front portion thereof penetrates subsurface soil and collects a sample. Retrieval of the cable causes the interior body to withdraw into the hollow body and permits the entire device to be returned to the helicopter.

United States Patent 1191 Sainsbury 1451 Apr. 23, 1974 GEOLOGICAL SAMPLING DEVICE [75] Inventor: Cleo Ladell Sainsbury, Indian Hills,

Colo.

[73] Assignee: Airsamplex Corporation, Indian Hills, C010.

[22] Filed: Aug. 21, 1972 21 Appl. No.2 282,018

[52] U.S. CI. 175/20, 175/238, 175/58, 175/248 [51] Int. Cl E2lb 9/20 [58] Field of Search 175/20-23, 175/249, 237, 240, 248, 254, 250, 233, 309, 248, 257, 6, 4, 58, 318, 283, 235

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,095,051 6/1963 Robinsky et al. 175/238 X 3,172,486 3/1965 Kinley 175/248 x 2,664,269 12/1953 Knight et al. 175/20 3,163,241 12/1964 Daigle et al 175/237 2,915,284 12/1959 Ortloff 175/237 X 3,075,588 l/l963 Mitchell.... 175/20 3,373,826 3/1968 Ingram 175/5 3,561,546 2/1971 Craig 175/245 X Primary ExaminerHenry C. Sutherland Assistant ExaminerRichard E. Favreau Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Roylance, Abrams, Berdo & Kaul [57] ABSTRACT A device to be used during geological exploration for obtaining a specimen of soil lying beneath the surface of the earth. The device is to be dropped from the air, e.g., from a hovering helicopter, and the nose thereof allowed to penetrate the surface of the earth. A sample is collected in the device and the device is retrieved into the hovering helicopter by means of a cable and a winch. The apparatus includes a hollow tubular body having a flange stop-collar approximately midway along the body to limit its penetration into the earth and fins at the tail to aerodynamically guide it during its fall to earth. The front or nose end of the body is provided with spreadable guarding jaws which are closed during impact and which are formed in an arrowhead shape to. enhance penetration of the earth. A relatively heavy interior body fits within the hollow body and includes an open front portion to receive a sample. The interior body is releasably retained in a position near the tail of the hollow body by a spring urged pin. After the device is dropped from a helicopter, the pointed guarding jaws of the hollow body penetrate the earth on impact, penetration of the hollow body being continued until the stop collar brings the device to a sudden halt. Inertia of the interior body causes it to be pulled loose from the spring urged pin, the momentum of this body causing it to move through the hollow body and to spread the guarding jaws at the nose end beneath the surface. The interior body continues to move downwardly and passes partly out of the hollow body so that the open front portion thereof penetrates subsurface soil and collects a sample. Retrieval of the cable causes the interior body to withdraw into the hollow body and permits the entire device to be returned to the helicopter.

9 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures HEHTEB APR 2 3 I974 SHEET 3 OF 3 GEOLOGICAL SAMPLING DEVICE This invention relates to soil sampling devices, and more particularly, it relates to a device usable from an airborne vehicle for obtaining a specimen of soil lying beneath the surface of the earth.

Geological exploration is an activity which has been undertaken for many years for a variety of purposes, including prospecting for mineral deposits, mapping for oil or gas reservoirs, or gathering information simply for the more fundamental science of geology.

It has historically been thetask of the prospector or geologist to wander on foot or by means of land or air transportation from one point to another in a specific area for the purposes of gathering samples, analyzing rock types, and studying the chemical characteristics of various samples obtained to obtain the necessary infor' mation for whatever purpose. When using air transportation techniques it has been necessary to land at each sample location.

end thereof, is releasably connected to and slidably movable within the hollow body. The releasable connection is between a spring urged pin mounted to the hollow body and a groove in the interior body outer surface. Adjustably positioned along the mid-portion of the exterior of the hollow body is a flange collar for limiting the depth of penetration of the nose end of the hollow body.

The term soil as used herein should be understood to include, generally, that portion of the earth or ground which is within a few feet of the surface, and, specifically, the upper layer of the earth that may be dug, plowed, or easily penetrated. It is intended to include rock fragments, sand, organic matter, fine gravel, silt, clay, other inorganic matter, and any mixture of two or more of these components, and in any degree of weathering.

Referring to the drawings in further detail, the device of the present invention is designated as seen in FIG.

subsurface samples are of special analytical value to the geologist.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a device for sampling subsurface soil, which device can be used in conjunction with a helicopter.

A further object is to provide apparatus which is ejectable from a hovering helicopter to contact and penetrate the surface of the earth, collect subsurface soil samples therefrom, and be returned to the helicopter.

Other objects, advantages and salient features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, which taken in conjunction with the annexed drawings, discloses a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Referring now to the drawings which form a part of this original disclosure:

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a device in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the nose of the hollow body showing the forward opening, and the tail of the hollow body showing the rear opening;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the nose portion of the device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of one of the guarding jaws;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the interior body; and

FIG. 6 is a partial sectional view of the device after impact with the surface.

The foregoing objects are attained by utilizing an apparatus which basically comprises a tubular hollow body having opposed spreadable guarding jaws at the nose end and aerodynamically stabilizing fins at the tail end. A sample collecting member, comprising a heavy interior body and a sample container located at one l, and consists generally of a hollow body 20, an interior body 40, guarding jaws 60, and a sample container As seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, the hollow body 20 is an elongated cylindrical tube having a rear or tail opening 21 and a forward or nose opening 22. The rear opening is formed by cutting the tube along a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the tube. The forward opening 22 is formed by cutting the tube along two planes intersecting each other at 60 and each intersecting the longitudinal axis of the tube at 30. This end is thus surrounded by two intersecting elliptically shaped surfaces 12 and 13 as seen in FIG. 2. Thus, the rear opening is circular and the forward opening is forwardly pointed.

A small portion of the interior of tube 20 adjacent the opening 21 is threaded as indicated at 23 to receive an exteriorly threaded ring 25. Ring 25 is of sufficient radial thickness to provide an annular reduced diameter ridge or shoulder at the tail end of the tube. Although ridge 25 is shown having a threaded connection to the tube 20, it may alternatively be welded thereto.

A small portion of the interior of the tube adjacent forward opening 22 is also threaded as indicated at 26 to receive an exteriorly threaded ring 27. The two pointed portions surrounding opening 22 and lying between surfaces 12 and 13 can either be internally threaded or reduced in thickness to allow ring 27 to be received on the threads 26. The ring 27 provides an annular reduced diameter ridge or shoulder at the forward or nose end of the tube.

A hole 28 radially penetrates the wall of tube 20 near opening 21 but forward of ring 25. A detent pin 29 is mounted in one end of a flat steel spring 30, the other end of which is fastened to the exterior surface of body 20 such as by rivets 31 so that the spring is held substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the hollow body 20. In its normal position the detent pin is biased inwardly by the spring 30 and received by the hole 28 so that a substantial portion of the pin extends into the cavity of the hollow body.

Spaced slightly forward from the forward end of the spring 30 are two diametrically opposed bores 92 and 93, each passing completely through the wall of the hollow body 20. These bores will receive a locking pin as will hereinafter be described.

Mounted on the exterior surface of the hollow body along the rear portion thereof, and parallel to the tubes longitudinal axis as shown in FIGS. 1 and 6, are four equiangularly spaced channel members 33. Each of these channel members, 33 receives a planar, trapezoid shaped fin 34 along the longest side of the trapezoid, each channel being connected to its associated fin by rivets 35. The channels 33 can be welded to the hollow body or connected in any other suitable manner. Although four fins are described, this is only by way of example, and any desired number can be used. The fins can be made from any suitable material, although tough, pliable plastic is preferred.

Longitudinally spaced along the mid-portion of the exterior surface of the hollow body are a series of blind bores 36. A stop collar 37, consisting of an annular flange 38 connected to one end of a relatively short section of a thick-walled tube 39, is movable along the mid portion of the hollow body and can be adjustably positioned therealong by means of a screw 41 passing through a threaded aperture 42 in the wall of the tube 39, and partially received by any one of the blind bores 36. The interior diameters of the flange 38 and the tube 39 are equal and are slightly larger than the outer diameter of the hollow body 20 to allow easy adjustment of the collar 37 longitudinally along the hollow body. The flange 38 has a substantial radial thickness which provides a stopping platform for the device after it impacts the surface of the earth. Securing the stop collar adjacent any of the spaced blind bores 36 provides for an adjustable penetration depth of the hollow body.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, located at the front or nose end of the hollow body 20, on the exterior surface thereof and spaced just rearward of the apexes of the elliptically shaped surfaces 12 and 13, are four support plates 43, 143, 243 and 343. The support plates 43 and 143 are mounted to the top of the hollow body as viewed in FIG. 2 and the support plates 243 and 343 are mounted to the bottom of the hollow body, diametrically opposed from those on the top. Each plate is substantially right-triangular in shape and has itslonger side oriented parallel to the longitudinal axis of the ho]- low body 20 and welded to the exterior surface thereof.

Plates 43 and 143 define a space 95 therebetween for partially receiving one of the guarding jaws 60. Similarly, plates 243 and 343 define a space 96 therebetween for partially receiving another of the guarding jaws 60. Each plate has a transverse bore 45 therein adjacent the shorter side of the right triangular shaped plate.

The guarding jaws 60 are formed from two identical jaws 61 and 62, and therefore, only one will be described in detail. Each jaw, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, includes a flat portion 63 which is in the shape of an isosceles triangle, and a portion 64 which has an elliptic outline. The base of the triangle 63 is joined to a line perpendicular to the axis of the semi-ellipse 64, the abutting edges of the two being beveled so that they are joined lying in planes at an angle of approximately 150. The junction line is the line between the points formed by surfaces 12 and 13. A rib or plate 65 is joined to and rigidly supports portions 63 and 64 in the configuration described.

One end of plate 65 has a portion 66 extending past the end of the portion 64. This portion 66 on upper jaw 61 is placed in the space 95 and has a transverse bore 67 therein which is aligned with the apertures 45 in the support plates 43 and 143, all receiving a bolt '44 and nut 144. Similarly, portion 66 on lower jaw 62 is placed in the space 96 between support plates 243 and 343 and has a transverse bore 67 therein which is aligned with the apertures 45 in the support plates 243 and 343, all receiving another bolt 44 and nut 144.

Thus, each jaw 61 and 62 is pivotally mounted on the exterior forward end of the hollow body 20. In the closed position, as shown in FIG. 1, jaw portion 64 of the upper jaw 61 lies on the elliptical surfacel2 and covers the upper half of the forward opening 22. Jaw portion 64 of the lower jaw 62 lies on the elliptical surface 13 and covers the lower half of the forward openmg.

The jaws are capable of movement from a position as indicated in FIG. 1 wherein they are closed to a position as shown in FIG. 6 wherein they are separated.

The extending portion 66 of each plate 65 has thereon a depending dog 68 which is spaced rearwardly from the aperture 67 and extends towards the surface of the hollow body 20. A blind bore 69 in the exterior surface of the hollow body in each of the spaces 95 and 96, as shown in FIG. 1, is located directly below each dog 68. lnterposed between the bottom of the dogs 68 and the blind bores 69 is an elongated steel leaf spring 70. Each spring 70 is mounted on the exterior surface of the hollow body by rivets in each space and 96 and is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the hollow body. Thus, in FIG. 1 it can readily be seen that the springs 70 bias the dogs 68 away from the central axis of the hollow body and urge the jaws 61 and 62 into the closed, abutting position described above. When the jaws are rotated away from each other, the dogs 68 rotate towards the blind bores 69 into whicha portion of the springs 70 are received.

The interior body 40, as shown in FIG. 5, is essentially a solid, right cylindrical rod, the rear portion 46 having a diameter slightly larger than theforward portion 47, and therefore defining a shoulder 48 therebetween. The larger diameter of the rear portion is slightly smaller than the interior diameter of the hollow body 20 so that the interior body can freely slide through the hollow body. However, the larger diameter of the rear portion is smaller than the interior diameter of rings 25 and 27 and thus, once placed inside the hollow body, the interior body cannot be completely removed from inside tube 20. However, the outer diameter of forward portion 47 is sufficiently smaller than the inner diameter of ring 27 so that the forward portion can protrude beyond ring 27, further motion being prevented by shoulder 48.v

Rigidly mounted at or integrally formed with the rear end 59 of the rear portion 46 of the interior body is a conical extension 49 having its base adjacent the rear end 59 and a transverse aperture 50 therein for receiving a conventional U-bolt 51. The U-bolt is connected to one end of a cable 151 which has its other end wound on a winch in a hovering helicopter 251, as seen in FIG. 6.

As seen in FIG. 1, when the interior body is placed within the hollow body 20 with its rear end 59 abutting the ring 25, the extension 49 extends out the rear opening 21.

Referring again to FIG. 5, the exterior surface of the rear portion 46 of the interior body 40 is provided with a radially inwardly extending annular groove 52 to coincide with and receive the spring biased pin 29 when the rear end 59 abuts the ring 25. Spaced slightly forceived in frictional engagement in the axial bore 54 is a polyethylene sample container 80. This container is a cylindrical tube having a closed end which abuts the end of the bore 54 and an open end slightly inside the sharpened edge 55 of the front portion 47. An additional bore 57 is provided in the forward portion 47 of the interior body which extends from the exterior surface of the forward portion to the center of the end of On impact, the guarding jaws 60 penetrate the earth's surface and the entire device comes to a sudden stop when the flange 38 on the stop collar 37 strikes the surface of the ground. The locking pin 90 having been removed, the interior body is restrained only by pin 29. The mass of body 40 is sufficiently great, and the shape of groove 52 is sufficiently smooth, so that pin 29 is cammed out of the groove and body 40 plunges downward, striking and opening the jaws against the force of springs 70 and the surrounding soil, and penetrating the subsurface soil immediately beneath the device. A

. sample of the soil is caused to enter sample container the axial bore 54. An elongated rod (not shown) can i be pushed through the bore 57, so that the sample container 80 can be pushed out of bore 54.

As seen in FIG. 1, passing through bores 92 and 93 in the hollow body and the bore 53 in the interior body, is an elongated locking pin 90 having a transversely mounted extension 91 at one end for providing a convenient handle to the pin. As shown, the pin 90 prevents movement of the interior body relative to the hollow body. This pin is kept in place until the device is to be used to collect a subsurface soil sample.

In use, a sample container 80 is first placed in the axial bore 54 of the interior body 40 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 5. The guarding jaws are spread apart against the bias of springs 70 and held open while the ring 27,

mounted at the forward end of the hollow body 20, is unscrewed and removed. The interior body is then placed into the hollow body through the opened jaws with its rear end 59 abutting the rear ring 25. The locking pin 90 is passed through the radial bores 92 and 93 in the hollow body and through the diametral bore 53 in the rear portion 46 of the interior body, thus locking the interior body relative to the hollow body. The ring 27 is then replaced and the guarding jaws allowed to close. The apparatus is so dimensioned such that when the locking pin is in place, the pin 29 will be in contact with the circumferential groove 52. The cable 151 attached at one end to a winch in the helicopter 251 can then be attached at its other end to the extension 49, which protrudes from the rear opening 21 by means of the U-bolt 51. The stop collar 37 is then positioned along the hollow body to provide for the desired penetration of the device into the earth. This collar, in addition to providing the desired penetration, also allows the same depth of penetration to be accomplished at various sampling locations.

The device is now ready to be dropped from the helicopter, at which time the locking pin 90 is removed. The guarding jaws 60 are in the closed position due to the spring bias from springs 70 and therefore provide the hollow body with a pointed nose. The interior body 40 will remain at the tail end of the hollow body due to the detent action of the pin 29 mounted to the hollow body in the groove 52 located in the interior body.

The device is dropped from the helicopter and is allowed to fall under the influence of gravity with its nose end down, stabilized by the fins 34. Enough of the cable '151 is unravelled so that the device is travelling at a sufficient speed to penetrate the earth on impact with the surface thereof.

LII

80, and the device is ready to be removed from the ground. The sharpened edge 55 enhances the penetration of the interior body and the container into the surrounding subsurface soil. Preferably the interior body is formed from manganese or carbon steel and therefore will not contaminate any sample collected.

After impact, the cable 151 can be rewound on the winch in the hovering helicopter or otherwise returned thereto, drawing the interior body back into the hollow body. The interior body is pulled by the cable until its rear end 59 abuts the rear ring 25, at which time the entire device is pulled loose from the ground. Locking jaws 60 are spring biased back to the closed position by the springs to insure that none of the subsurface soil collected in the container will fall from the hollow body.

Due to the trapezoid shape ofthe fins 34 and the conical shape of the extension 49, the device will present an upwardly facing pointed end as it is pulled back to the helicopter to aid in passing the entire device up through surrounding brush and small tree limbs.

When the entire device is safely back in the helicopter, the guarding jaws are spread apart and the forward portion of the interior body is allowed to slide out the forward opening. The sample container 80 is then removed from the axial bore 54 by maneuvering the elongated rod previously mentioned through the bore 57, which rod pushes the sample container 80 from its frictional engagement with the bore.

While one advantageous embodiment has been chosen to illustrate the invention, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A device for collecting from the air a subsurface soil sample comprising:

means for penetrating the earths surface, said means having an open end; means for limiting the depth of penetration of said means for covering said open end until said open end has reached the limit of its penetration; and means slidably carried in said means for penetrating for uncovering said open end, for passing through the uncovered end into subsurface material, and for collecting a subsurface soil sample after said open end has reached the limit of its penetration.

2. A device for collecting a subsurface sample of soil from the air comprising:

hollow body means for partially penetrating the soil surface when dropped from the air, said hollow body means having first and second open ends;

guarding jaw means, pivotally mounted adjacent said first open end of said hollow body means and movable between first position covering said first open end and a second position uncovering said first open end;

sample collecting means for receiving the sample of the subsurface soil, said collecting means being carried within said hollow body means for slidable movement therein, said sample collecting means having a first portion and a second portion; biasing means for releasably retaining said sample collecting means in a first location adjacent said second open end;

' said sample collecting means being movable after impact from said first location to a second location having the firt portion extending out of said first open end into the subsurface soil to receive the sample,. said sample collecting means moving said guarding jaw means from the first position to the second position as it moves from its first location to its second location; and

means connected to said sample collecting means for retrieving the device.

3. A device according to claim 2 wherein said hollow body means further includes collar-means adjustably located on the outside of said hollow body means for limiting the penetration of said hollow body means.

4. A device according to claim 2 wherein said guarding jaw means includes two opposed jaws, each jaw being formed from a first planar portion having a triangular outline and a second planar portion having an elliptical outline, said first and second portions being joined at an angle.

5. A device according to claim 2 wherein said sample collecting means includes a solid steel rod having a cylindrical bore at one end of the first portion and means for connecting said sample collecting means to said means for retrieving.

6. A device according to claim 5 wherein said biasing means includes a flat spring and detent pin, said pin fitting into groove means in said steel rod.

7. A device according to claim 6 wherein said guarding jaw means includes spring means for biasing said 

1. A device for collecting from the air a subsurface soil sample comprising: means for penetrating the earth''s surface, said means having an open end; means for limiting the depth of penetration of said open end; means for covering said open end until said open end has reached the limit of its penetration; and means slidably carried in said means for penetrating for uncovering said open end, for passing through the uncovered end into subsurface material, and for collecting a subsurface soil sample after said open end has reached the limit of its penetration.
 2. A device for collecting a subsurface sample of soil from the air comprising: hollow body means for partially penetrating the soil surface when dropped from the air, said hollow body means having first and second open ends; guarding jaw means, pivotally mounted adjacent said first open end of said hollow body means and movable between first position covering said first open end and a second position uncovering said first open end; sample collecting means for receiving the sample of the subsurface soil, said collecting means being carried within said hollow body means for slidable movement therein, said sample collecting means having a first portion and a second portion; biasing means for releasably retaining said sample collecting means in a first location adjacent said second open end; said sample collecting means being movable after impact from said first location to a second location having the firt portion extending out of said first open end into the subsurface soil to receive the sample, said sample collecting means moving said guarding jaw means from the first position to the second position as it moves from its first location to its second location; and means connected to said sample collecting means for retrieving the device.
 3. A device according to claim 2 wherein said hollow body means further includes collar means adjustably located on the outside of said hollow body means for limiting the penetration of said hollow body means.
 4. A device according to claim 2 wherein said guarding jaw means includes two opposed jaws, each jaw being formed from a first planar portion having a triangular outline and a second planar portion having an elliptical outline, said first and second portions being joined at an angle.
 5. A device according to claim 2 wherein said sample collecting means includes a solid steel rod having a cylindrical bore at one end of the first portion and means for connecting said sample collecting means to said means for retrieving.
 6. A device according to claim 5 wherein said biasing means includes a flat spring and detent pin, said pin fitting into groove means in said steel rod.
 7. A device according to claim 6 wherein said guarding jaw means includes spring means for biasing said jaw means into said first position.
 8. A device according to claim 2 wherein said hollow body means further includes fin means rigidly mounted adjacent to the second open end of said hollow body means for aerodynamically stabilizing said hollow body means during its fall.
 9. A device according to claim 8 wherein said fin means comprises at least two planar fins having a trapezoid shape wherein the longest side of said trapezoid shaped fin is mounted adjacent the surface of said hollow body. 